Lily watched, frozen in place, as Tilda walked away. The Elder Princess had been stern but supportive. Her heart ached, feeling as though she had failed him. Lily's hands shook, her mind raced.

His cold eyes haunted her. In the blink of an eye, all the warmth he once had for her vanished into thin air. Like none of it ever existed.

Ezra glanced anxiously down the hallway before gripping Lily's arm. "We can't talk here," he whispered urgently. "Follow me."

He led her to a small sitting room several doors down. Once inside, he locked the door behind them and leaned against it, exhaling heavily.

Lily didn't wait for him to speak.

'What happened to Zayn? Why doesn't he remember me?'

Though Ezra was still rusty in sign language, he understood Lily's signing.

"I'm sorry, Lily. Everything spiraled out of control so quickly, I…"

She stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on his arm before she continued to sign, 'Tell me everything. What happened after I fainted?'

"After Zayn drank the concoction, he started convulsing," Ezra explained, his voice low. "He was in so much pain. You collapsed, too, perhaps because of your mate bond. But then Victoria pushed you aside to get to him."

Lily nodded; she remembered.

"Victoria suggested we carry him back to the room to rest while we figured out a solution," Ezra hesitated, shame crossing his features.

Ezra looked to Lily, face filled with remorse, "In the midst of the chase, I… I did call for someone to come and get you. I thought they'd arranged for you to rest in a separate room or at the infirmary. I swear, Luna Lily, I–"

It stung to hear that she was abandoned. For two days, no one asked where she had gone. Lily's fists tightened, but she shook her head.

'What happened next?' she signed.

"When we got Zayn back to the room, he'd already passed out. He was burning up with fever, mumbling incoherently. Victoria refused to leave his side. She sent me to fetch water and cloths to cool him down." Ezra ran a hand over his face. "When I returned, she'd already stripped him down and was tending to him herself."

Lily flinched at the thought of Victoria's hands on her mate, but she forced herself to focus. This wasn't about jealousy; something far worse had happened. She could feel it.

"When Zayn finally woke up yesterday morning, he was different," Ezra continued. "He recognized Victoria as his Luna. When I mentioned your name…" Ezra's voice faltered.

'What?' Lily prodded, her hands shaking.

"He asked who you were. When I reminded him you were his mate, he laughed. Said I must be confused, that Victoria had always been his Luna." Ezra's voice dropped even lower. "He only remembers you as Lily Brightpaw, daughter of his enemy."

The blood drained from Lily's face. She sank into the nearest chair, her legs suddenly too weak to support her.

'He doesn't remember anything?' she signed, her movements slower now, weighted by shock. 'He doesn't remember me?'

Ezra shook his head miserably. "Nothing. Victoria has barely left his side since. If she steps away for even a moment, he becomes agitated, demanding to know where his mate has gone."

Lily's heart ached. Her mate, her Zayn, looked at Victoria with the love that belonged to her. Each new piece of information felt like another knife to Lily's heart. Worst of all, Victoria had systematically replaced her in Zayn's heart.

'What do we do now?' Lily signed, desperation building inside her.

Ezra sighed heavily. "For now, I think we need to focus on getting through the Crystal Moon Ball. It ends tomorrow night. Once we're back in Obsidian Moon, perhaps we can figure this out."

Lily nodded along.

Ezra bit his lip. He crouched down to meet Lily's eyes.

"I hate to say this, Luna Lily. But for now, perhaps it is best if you stay away from Zayn. I'll have your items moved to a separate room for now," He suggested gently.

Lily didn't protest. It was for the best.

After Ezra left, Lily remained seated, trying to process everything. By the time she found the strength to leave, it was nighttime. Ezra didn't return for her either, so it was up to her to figure out where her new room might be.

She opened the door and peeked out. The corridor was eerily quiet. Seeing as the coast was clear, Lily left the room. However, a familiar scent made her freeze. Zayn. She looked around, wondering where he was, only to collide with him face-first.

She stumbled back and looked up at him instinctively. Her blood ran cold as he looked at her with cold, calculating eyes. Victoria hung on his arm, barely hiding her triumphant smile.

"You…" He hissed.

Lily took a step back, but there was nowhere to run. She was cornered with the wall pressed against her back.

"Victoria explained everything," Zayn continued, "How you manipulated your way into becoming my Luna. How you played the victim to gain my sympathy."

Victoria placed a hand gently on Zayn's arm, "Zayn, don't overexert yourself. She's not worth it. You have to think about your health."

Her words were like poison dipped in honey. It only added fuel to the flames. Everything in Lily's body screamed for her to run. But before she could do so, Zayn grabbed her by the collar and pushed her against the wall roughly.

Zayn turned to Victoria, cupping her cheek gently, "You don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine."

Victoria nodded, not forgetting to glance over at Lily, who watched them intently. Lily felt as though her heart was ripped to shreds and Victoria enjoyed every second of it.

Zayn turned his attention back to Lily, "You thought you could fool me?"

His face was only inches away from hers, "After what your family did to mine?"

The familiar terror from their early days together washed over Lily. There was only hatred in his eyes.

"Maybe I should teach you a lesson," Zayn threatened, his grip tightening on her collar. "Remind you what happens to my enemies."

"What are you suggesting, Zayn?" Victoria purred, eyes gleaming with malice.

Zayn straightened himself as he declared, "I'm going to teach her a lesson she'll never forget."